Our Guide to Grading Your Pokémon Cards
Got a binder full of holos and wondering if that old Charizard could help fund your next holiday? Grading your Pokémon cards is the best way to find out. Whether you’re a hardcore collector or just stumbled across a childhood stash, this guide will walk you through exactly how to get your Pokémon cards graded here in Australia — and why it’s worth doing.
Explore the latest Pokémon singles and sealed products here.
What is Card Grading?
Grading is the process of having your cards professionally authenticated and rated based on condition. It’s like taking your rarest Pokémon to Nurse Joy — they come back in a protective slab, sealed, scored, and ready for battle on the secondary market.
For Pokémon cards, grading adds value, trust, and collectability. Whether it’s your base set Venusaur or a brand-new Illustration Rare Pikachu, a high grade from a trusted service like PSA or BGS could mean big bucks — or at least bragging rights.
Learn more about how grading works at Cherry on our dedicated grading page.
How You Can Prepare Your Pokémon Cards for Grading
Want that pristine 10? Start here.
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Handle with care – Always use clean hands and avoid touching card surfaces.
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Use card savers – Penny sleeve first, then into a semi-rigid card saver (no top loaders).
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Check for flaws – Look for whitening, print lines, centering issues, or dings.
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No sticky notes – Don’t write on or attach anything directly to the card.
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Submit only the good stuff – Focus on your cleanest, most valuable cards to maximise return.
Choosing the Best Grading Company
At Cherry, we trust the biggest names in the grading game: PSA and BGS (Beckett).
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PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is known for consistency, a clean slab design, and massive resale value — especially for Pokémon.
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BGS (Beckett Grading Services) offers subgrades and a sleek black label option for perfect 10s — a flex for serious collectors.
Both are popular with Pokémon fans, and we’ve broken down the pros and cons in this blog: PSA vs BGS – Which Should You Choose?
Want to submit with Cherry? You can book your PSA Grading Service here or Beckett Grading here.
Submitting Your Pokémon Cards for Grading
Ready to lock in that grade? Here’s how it works:
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Choose your grading service – PSA or BGS.
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Submit online via Cherry – Select your service and complete checkout.
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Package carefully – Follow our prep guide above, label your cards clearly, and ensure safe shipping.
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Drop-off or post – Visit our Melbourne store or mail it in.
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Wait for the magic to happen – We’ll handle the rest!
Still unsure? We’ve got a full grading walkthrough here.
Turnaround Times & Costs of Pokémon Card Grading
Grading isn’t instant — but good things take time.
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PSA turnaround: Typically 6–10 weeks depending on demand.
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BGS turnaround: Around 8–12 weeks.
Prices vary based on card value and service level, but generally expect:
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PSA: from $39 AUD/card
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BGS: from $49 AUD/card
You can view current pricing on our PSA Grading Service and Beckett Grading Service pages.
Getting Your Results...
Once your grades are in, we notify you. Your cards come back slabbed, sealed, and ready to display or flip.
Key Mistakes to Avoid When Grading Your Pokémon Cards
🚫 Submitting damaged cards hoping for miracles
🚫 Using top loaders instead of card savers
🚫 Sending in cards without checking centering or surface marks
🚫 Forgetting to pay for return shipping
🚫 Expecting instant turnaround times
Trust us — we’ve seen it all. Avoid these mistakes and your submission will go a lot smoother.
Grade Your Pokémon Cards Today with Cherry Collectables
Grading your Pokémon cards in Australia has never been easier. At Cherry, we’ve helped thousands of collectors get their cards authenticated and protected for life — whether it’s a $3 Pikachu or a five-figure Illustrator.
Explore our full Pokémon range, submit through our grading page, or browse singles to start building your next PSA 10 set.
New to the hobby? Check out our guide to getting started with Pokémon cards.
Let’s get your cards slabbed and shining ✨
